Eastern Railway, Sealdah Division Enhances Safety and Comfort: Kanchenjunga Express (13173/13174 & 13175/13176) Converted to Modern LHB Coaches.

Kolkata,28 Nov 2025:

Eastern Railway’s Sealdah Division has successfully completed the transition of the Kanchenjunga Express, a vital link connecting West Bengal to the Northeast, from conventional ICF rakes to state-of-the-art LHB coaches. This significant upgrade, implemented for all services (13173/13174 and 13175/13176), marks a major step forward in prioritizing passenger safety and comfort.

Enhanced Safety Angle

The introduction of LHB coaches significantly boosts the safety standards of the train. The major safety advantages include:
• Anti-Telescopic Design: LHB coaches are built with an anti-telescopic feature, preventing coaches from climbing over one another during a collision or derailment, thereby minimizing casualties.
• Advanced Braking System: Equipped with advanced disc brake systems, LHB coaches offer superior and more efficient braking performance compared to the older air-brake systems of ICF coaches.
• Higher Speed Potential: While currently running on existing tracks, the design allows for safer operation at higher speeds, providing a robust, future-ready fleet.

Superior Comfort and Passenger Amenities

Beyond safety, the LHB coaches deliver a vastly improved travel experience for passengers:
• Improved Suspension: The modern bogie design ensures a smoother and less jerky ride, significantly enhancing passenger comfort, especially on long-distance journeys.
• Lower Noise Levels: The coaches are designed for quieter operation, creating a more peaceful environment inside the compartments.
• Increased Space: LHB coaches are marginally longer, providing extra space within the compartments, including wider windows for a better view.
• Aesthetic and Modern Interiors: Passengers will benefit from better lighting, more spacious seating, and cleaner, modular toilets.
• Seating Capacity: LHB coaches are approximately 2 meters longer than ICF coaches. This extra length allows for more seats/berths per coach.

This modernization drive ensures that one of our most important trains and, in the future more trains will offer the highest standards of safety, coupled with a superior, comfortable travel experience. Sealdah Division are dedicated to the phased conversion of our primary train services to LHB rakes.